Provides recommendations for ACP, policymakers, and
regulators considering electronic cigarettes and other
products

(Washington, April 21, 2015)- A new position paper from
the American College of Physicians (ACP) offers strong
recommendations for regulating electronic nicotine delivery systems
(ENDS), including banning characterizing flavors and television
advertising. An executive summary of ACP's paper, Electronic
Nicotine Delivery Systems: An American College of Physicians Policy
Position Paper, is published in the April 21 Annals of Internal Medicine.

"This paper is not intended to offer clinical guidance or serve
as an exhaustive literature review of existing electronic nicotine
delivery system (ENDS)-related evidence," noted David A. Fleming,
MD, MA, MACP, ACP president, "but to help direct the College,
policymakers, and regulators on how to address these products. In
this position paper, ACP offers a half-dozen policy recommendations
on ENDS regulation and oversight, taxation, flavorings, promotion
and marketing, indoor and public use, and research."

Electronic nicotine delivery systems, which include electronic
cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are growing in popularity, but their
safety and efficacy as a smoking cessation aid are not well
understood, the paper explains. There is concern that the health
effects of ENDS use are unknown, that they may appeal to young
people, and that they may encourage dual use of ENDS and
traditional tobacco products. Many believe that ENDS may be useful
as a smoking cessation aid and the paper calls for research to help
determine the long-term health consequences of ENDS use and whether
regulated products would have clinical merit. Although ENDS are
currently unregulated the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has
proposed regulations that would deem ENDS to be subject to the
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which regulates
cigarettes and other tobacco products.

"Despite the widespread popularity and availability of ENDS,
little is known about the direct and second- hand long-term effects
of their use or their potential as a smoking cessation aid," Dr.
Fleming pointed out. "ACP supports strong regulations to ensure
product safety and transparency, policies that prevent use among
young people, increased research to better determine their health
effects, strong limits on marketing and promotion, and application
of indoor air laws to protect the health of bystanders."

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The American College of Physicians is the
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and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists
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